Jacob and Melanie Rausch of Hermosa were the first recipients of cattle from Heifers for South Dakota. The Rausch's suffered more than 50% losses to their cow herd, but were determined to persevere in the pursuit of what they love - ranching. When Heifers for South Dakota rolled in this week with two trailers full of cattle, 23 head of top quality cows were unloaded at their new home. The donors had given from the best of their herd. Ty Linger, of Miles City, Mont., set up the "Heifers for South Dakota" Facebook page in an effort to get ranchers in surrounding states to pledge cows to those who lost at least 25 percent of their herd.

Nearly each day lately brings revelations regarding something few people followed before: The EB-5 visas for foreign investors program in South Dakota. There's Aberdeen-based investment recruiter SDRC Inc., the Governor's Office of Economic Development, some recent South Dakota projects partially funded using EB-5, and one of the men in the middle, Richard Benda. There are at least four separate investigations underway and maybe five or six. According to some sources, the FBI began asking questions in 2012.

PIERRE - Anglers won't get to keep more fish in South Dakota. The standard possession limit is two times the daily limit for a species. The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission kept that cap in place Thursday. Some tourism businesses along the Missouri River had petitioned to increase the possession limits statewide to three times the daily limits. As an example, the daily standard limit for walleyes is four. The petition sought to increase the possession limit from eight walleyes to 12. The commission took testimony from the general public and heard from members of the GFP staff Thursday.

Commercial cattle producers are the barometer of the Red Angus breed. Their confidence and use of the breed's genetics help determine market share and, even more importantly, help verify the genetic progress of the breed's gene pool. The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) recently recognized the Bickel Ranch of Firesteel, S.D., as one of the nation's outstanding commercial Red Angus operations. The Bickels accepted the Commercial Producer of the Year award during the 60th Red Angus National Convention in Lewistown, Mont., this fall.

The annual meal of Scandinavian favorites will be served Nov. 22-24 at NeSoDak Bible Camp near Waubay. Proceeds from the dinner support camping ministry in South Dakota through Lutheran Outdoors in South Dakota. NeSoDak Bible Camp is on Enemy Swim Lake. The meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 and at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24. Organizers invite people to “warm up with cider and conversation in the Fireside Room before the meal, then enjoy lutefisk, meatballs, delicious desserts, friendship and music while hearing an update on what is new and exciting at camp.” The minimum donation or ticket price is $20 per person.

Prices for camping sites and other services including firewood sales at South Dakota state campgrounds will increase for 2014. The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission approved the changes Thursday afternoon on a unanimous voice vote. The prices last were increased prior to the 2011 camping season.

Fishing possession limits won't change in South Dakota. Tourism businesses along the Missouri River wanted anglers to be able to keep three times the daily limit of fish statewide. The current general possession limit is two times the daily limit. The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission considered the proposal today. An attempt to vote on the matter died, because no one would second the motion for approval. State fishery biologist Geno Adams told the commission that possession limits don't have any biological effect.

University of South Dakota President James W. Abbott visited Aberdeen Wednesday for a luncheon hosted by the USD Alumni Association. The Aberdeen visit was part of a tour of South Dakota that spanned two days and four stops. Abbot spoke about school news, including achievements and updates on major campus projects.

A Lutheran minister, who once served churches in Britton, Lake City and Kidder, has written his first book. The Rev. Dave Nerdig is the author of “Letters from Pleasant View Lutheran Church: Christmas 1985 to Christmas 1999.” Although Nerdig now lives in Jewell, Iowa, the book looks back at his time in South Dakota. “Letters from Pleasant View Lutheran Church” is a work of fiction set in an imaginary parish on the plains of South Dakota. “I'd say it's a humorous look at how the people of God struggle to be human and part of God's family at the same time,” Nerdig said in a phone interview.